Solo Female Digital Nomad Life with Kelsey Frey [Girls Go Abroad Episode 011]
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This week on the Girls Go Abroad podcast, we’re talking to Kelsey Frey all about her life as a solo female digital nomad.
Kelsey is an online English teacher, blogger, and freelance writer currently navigating her newfound digital nomad life in Europe. You can find her online at Sights Better Seen and on Instagram @sightsbetterseen.
In this episode we discuss…
- How Kelsey got started as a digital nomad by teaching English online and housesitting
- How Kelsey found her digital nomad community in Bansko, Bulgaria
- Top tips for visiting Bansko
- Top tips for solo female digital nomad life
Be sure to hit play to listen to it all!
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Getting Started as A Solo Female Digital Nomad
Kelsey started her digital nomad journey about a year ago. She worked for a nonprofit in environmental conservation, which she loved, but she felt stuck where she was and was ready to leave and experience something new.
Then, she heard the term digital nomad on Instagram and decided that sort of freedom to explore slowly was what she really wanted.
So she started saving up and looking for an idea of what she could do for work. She stumbled upon See Nic Wander, who was housesitting and teaching English online, and realized that that was something that she could definitely do–so she did!
She watched a lot of Youtube videos and, along with her background in teaching, was able to easily apply and go through the interview process and get started.
When she actually started traveling as a female digital nomad, Kelsey went with a friend for the first few months before taking off on her own.
The first place she went on her own was England, where she had a housesit set up for two months. She admits that it wasn’t the best first place to go as a solo female digital nomad, because she was super lonely and didn’t have much of a community.
Finding a Community as a Solo Female Digital Nomad
After her first two months in England, Kelsey learned that she really needed a community of digital nomads.
Currently, she’s in Bansko, Bulgaria, which has an amazing digital nomad community!
Her typical day involves getting up and teaching for a few hours at home before heading to the coworking space in Bansko to work on her blog. Then, she’ll usually grab dinner with a few friends from coworking or go to an event put on by the space.
Being able to meet so many cool people at the coworking space has been a major pro of her new lifestyle.
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Bansko, Bulgaria
Kelsey couldn’t help but rave about her experience as a solo female digital nomad in Bansko! She spent 90 days in the town (the max of her visa) and she’s already planning to come back as soon as she can.
She says it’s so great because there’s an amazing digital nomad community, is affordable, is close to nature, and is super walkable.
If you’re planning on visiting Bansko, then the adventure activities are what it’s all about: snowboarding or skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. There are also some amazing hot springs in Bansko which she highly recommends!
As a solo female digital nomad or traveler going to Bansko (and Bulgaria in general), you’ll feel super safe, says Kelsey.
Finally, if Kelsey could give one piece of solo female travel advice, it would be to learn how to go with the flow. Amazing opportunities will come and amazing things will happen if you just learn to let go and put yourself out there!
MORE FROM THIS EPISODE
Be sure to hit play to listen to the full episode, where Kelsey shares even more helpful advice about her travels as a solo female digital nomad!
LISTEN ON ITUNES / STITCHER / SPOTIFY
You can find Kelsey online on her blog, Sights Better Seen, and on Instagram and Facebook.
Listen to more episodes of the Girls Go Abroad podcast:
- How to Plan Your First Solo Trip
- Seeing the World & Spreading Joy with Gloria Atanmo
- 17 Solo Female Travel Books to Read
MY FAVORITE TRAVEL TIPS & RESOURCES
Booking Flights: The first place I turn when I’m searching for flights is actually just Google Flights - it’s great to figure out what sort of routes are available. Then, I check Skyscanner and Kiwi for deals. I also love Kiwi for its destination: anywhere feature!
Transportation: I love Omio for figuring out the cheapest way to get from one place to another, and Trainline for booking train tickets within Europe.
Accommodations: I absolutely love Booking.com for finding great hotel deals. After you stay a certain number of nights, you get Genius discounts! For hostels, Hostelworld is my go-to, and I use Airbnb occasionally as well (click here for $40 off your first booking!)
Travel Insurance: I knew that I shouldn’t travel without insurance for the longest time, but I really learned my lesson when I got an infected cut in Bali. Thank goodness I had travel insurance! I use and love World Nomads for their extremely comprehensive coverage.
Travel Insurance: I knew that I shouldn’t travel without insurance for the longest time, but I really learned my lesson when I got an infected cut in Bali. Thank goodness I had travel insurance! I use and love World Nomads for their extremely comprehensive coverage.
Tours: I always check Urban Adventures for great day tours of cities first–I’m obsessed with them! GetYourGuide and Viator are also great options. For multi-day tours, I highly recommend Intrepid.
Camera Gear: I use a Sony Alpha A6300 camera with an 18-105 mm lens and a 35 mm lens. My tripod is the MeFoto Backpacker Air and I loooooove it! I also use a DJI Mavic Air and a GoPro and which allow me to capture everything my regular camera can’t.
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